A message from the Chairman - working to reopen the Indonesia cattle trade 14/06/11
The industry is currently dealing with the serious financial and logistical impacts of last week’s temporary suspension of the trade to Indonesia. MLA is not standing still. We are pursuing the urgent implementation of measures to assure the welfare of Australian cattle in Indonesia. Only this will give Government the confidence to reopen the trade.
One issue in the media is the Government’s request to use MLA funds to assist with domestic supply chain issues associated with their decision to suspend the trade. We firmly believe the most effective means to provide financial security to cattle producers and businesses across northern Australia is to reinstate the trade.
Industry has told us we should be directing MLA resources into putting in place the systems to allow the trade to resume.
MLA is continuing to work closely with the Indonesian industry and government. We have a team of experts on the ground working to put practical solutions in place, including:
- providing additional infrastructure, including the broader use of stunning equipment;
- stationing animal welfare officers in accredited facilities;
- delivering intensive training to ensure consistent processing to international welfare standards or better; and
- investigating the use of traceability mechanisms to monitor the flow of cattle from the Australian paddock through to the point of processing in Indonesia.
We are also participating in the Industry Government Taskforce formed this weekend to develop a full chain assurance program consistent with OIE standards to provide greater certainty around animal welfare issues in our livestock export markets.
There are supply chains in place now that we believe provide the level of assurance the Government is looking for.
I’d like to be able to put a timeframe on when the trade will be re-opened, however this decision is in the hands of the Government.
This is an extremely difficult time for Australia’s cattle industry and it is vital we all work together to rapidly achieve the one action that will make a difference – the re-opening of the trade to Indonesia once the Government is confident we have an assured supply chain for Australian cattle in this market.
Everyone at MLA is acutely aware that the livelihoods of many northern producers – and the income of all Australian producers – depend on this. Reopening the trade as soon as possible is the best means to get cattle off wharves and out of yards across northern Australia.
While MLA did not order the full closure of the trade with Indonesia, we are fully committed to delivering a solution to allow Government to reopen it.
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